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Summary
Martial arts moviesoften feature skilled boxer agonist , but some of the most respected ingress in the genre have also have villains who were more adept at soldierlike arts than the Hero . soldierly liberal arts movies are very influential and beloved , and that ’s largely due to the genre ’s well - choreographed conflict scenes , sum - stop stunt , and over - the - top villains . One of the figure unremarkably tie in with martial fine art movies is that of the protagonist finally surpassing their sensei before challenging the villain to a affaire d’honneur to the death , often for honor or revenge .
While many of thebest warriorlike art movie directorshave withdraw , their prominent work have place down the pattern for next generations to follow regarding way to make their villains truly threatening . As is true in real life , the protagonists in most martial artistry movies have to undergo a serial of trials and challenge before reaching their true potential in any given place . Whether it be a classic warlike arts flick by the prolific East Asian directors of years retiring or a more modern-day movie in the musical style from the West , there are notable example of thevillains in martial arts film being better fightersthan the protagonists .
10Ivan Drago In Rocky IV
The Russian boxer killed one of the heroes.
Ivan Drago is often consideredRocky Balboa ’s greatest baddie , and his sentence in the halo exemplifies that he was a much better hero . Despite inevitably being outdo by Rocky duringRocky IV ’s climactic battle scene , Drago prove himself a force to be reckon with while contend Apollo Creed early in the movie ’s story . The Russian boxer killed Apollo right in front of Rocky . Drago was n’t too far off from beating Rocky too , as he had the Italian Stallion looking worsened for the wear before the boxer turn the fighting around .
Most might not imagine of box as a martial art in the colloquial sense . However , it is in the sense that it requires keen field of study and solitaire in order for one to master his body and mind . This is intrinsic to every other martial art out there . As a upshot , Rocky IVproves thatDrago is one of the most iconic villains in martial art moviesthrough his power to go toe - to - toe with the enfranchisement ’s dear heroes in the hoop .
9Tony in Flashpoint
He draws first blood in the fight.
Wilson Yip ’s 2007 Hong Kong soldierly artistry filmFlashpointadds a memorable scoundrel to the music genre in Collin Chou ’s gangster Tony . The movie build to a fight between Tony and Donnie Yen ’s Detective Ma Jun. The fight is relatively even on the off - set , although it is Tony who describe blood first . The villain apparently has the upper hand until Ma Jun start using virtually every fighting elan he knows to beat Tony , whichexemplifies just how dangerous the mobster really is . Despite ending with Ma Jun winning , Tony ’s skills in the fight helpFlashpointearn kudos for experience one of thebest fight scenes in a Donnie Yen movie .
8Henry in Drunken Master II
The criminal is proficient in Taekwondo.
Henry appear in the Jackie Chan classic , Drunken Master II , and isone of the most memorable villain in soldierlike arts movies . Despite his often affable personality , Henry is a sadistic felon who ’s just as proficient in Taekwondo as he is at breaking the law . While most audiences probably remember the ratiocination to the scrap , the first half of the fight stands out as Henry ’s furious feet and incredible cardio keep Chan ’s Wong Fei - hung constantly on the defense . Before Wong get down intoxicated and beats Henry , he about has an early tally - in with death thanks to Henry ’s skill and cunning on the battlefield .
7Wah Sing Ku in Lethal Weapon 4
Jet Li’s villain is more skilled than Riggs and Murtaugh.
Lethal Weapon 4was , for many Americans , their foundation to the fabled Chinese actor Jet Li , and he did not let down audience as the villainous Wah Sing Ku . A gentleman’s gentleman of very few words , Ku ’s very comportment was intimidating enough , as there was always a hardened coldness behind his eyes . Despite often being outnumbered by Riggs and Murtaugh , Ku competently held his own against them with agile footwork , speedy fists , and incredible role of nearby objects and terrain . Even though Riggs and Murtaugh work together to at last put an end to Ku ’s terror , it have everything they have , and they both most drop dead in the process .
6The Beast in Kung Fu Hustle
The Beast is powerful enough to defeat gods.
Kung Fu Hustle’sunique blending of humor and actionmakes itone of the best martial arts comediesever made . Kung Fu Hustle ’s enceinte bag , The Beast , is revered by many of the characters in the world because of legendary tales like catching bullets in midair and deliberately submitting himself to solitary confinement because of his strength . As dotty as it all sounds , it proves to be dependable when The Beast is envision make quick oeuvre of protagonist Sing , and aptly hold his own against the Landlord and Landlady - two individuals believe to be immortal . Despite his legendary position , The Beast is finally beatenonce Sing unlock his electric potential .
5Mad Dog in The Raid: Redemption
Mad Dog takes on multiple opponents at once.
sore Dog is one of the good villain in martial picture , and he earned that note because of his acute front and indomitable will . What Mad Dog lacks in acme and size of it , he more than realise up for in his power to nullify threat with or without a weapon . Even though there are manygreat fight inThe Raid , Mad Dog steal the show in all of his . He is regularly outnumbered yet still hold his own , proving just how great of a fighter he is . In what is perhaps his good conflict , he tragically kills Jaka midway through the movie , thus establishing the severity of the protagonist ’s mission .
4Ghost-Faced Killer in The Mystery of Chess Boxing
He kills opponents with ease.
The Mystery of Chess Boxingfeatures some of thebest - choreographed scrap shot in martial art moviesand some truly memorable characters . AmongThe Mystery of Chess Boxing ’s memorable players is its baddie , The Ghost - Faced Killer , a extremely skilled martial artist know for his legendary five elements style kung fu . what is more , he ’s seen killing about anyone who opposes him with relative informality , and it eventually causes him to cut across paths with Ah Pao , the agonist . Although the fight is an uphill battle , The Ghost - Faced Killer is eventually best by Ah Pao and chess master Chi Sue at the film ’s finish .
Related:10 Unbelievable Jackie Chan Movie Moments That Made Him A Martial Arts Legend
3Mondale’s Henchman in Wheels on Meals
Jackie Chan’s character barely beats him.
Often considered the best scrap scene in a Jackie Chan picture , Wheels on Mealssees Chan as a small business proprietor named Thomas , who assists his cousin-german with rescuing a wealthy heiress from infamous thugs . While nearlyany Jackie Chan battle scene could be take an all - fourth dimension great , his combat with Mondale ’s Henchman ( played by former kickboxing lightweight champion Benny Urquidez ) digest out as one of Chan ’s best . The prospect is also improbably effective at illustrating that Mondale ’s Henchman is an even better fighter than Chan ’s character , as Thomas wins by a razor - sparse gross profit margin .
2Agent Smith in The Matrix
Agent Smith easily defeats Morpheus.
The Wachowski ’s 1999 filmThe Matrixreinvented the roulette wheel in so many ways when it debuted back in 1999 , but it also gave audiences a new , great soldierly arts baddie with Agent Smith . His skills as a battler are established in many ways . This includes characters run from Smith rather than fighting him , which establishes some in - universe fear of his abilities . Meanwhile , Morpheus ' brief engagement with Agent Smith in the dilapidated bathroom leads to one of the most one - sided beat - downs in the dealership . Although Neo beats him later on , Agent Smith ’s fight with Morpheus demonstrates he ’s the superior combatant before Neo ’s full powers are unlocked .
1Sheng Kuan in Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow
He’s a nearly unstoppable force of evil.
conduct by Yuen Woo - Ping River , Snake in the Eagle ’s Shadowboasts the strongest instance of a villain being point above the admirer in a martial art movie . Whereas most other flick in the genre outcome in a fairly cheeseparing battle between good and evilness , Snake in the Eagle ’s Shadowswitches matter up by show a near - unstoppable power of nature in its villain , Sheng Kuan . Kuan is the captain of the Eagle ’s Claw proficiency and is seen waste anyone who challenges him in armed combat .
Never one to shy away from a challenge , Kuan finally crosses itinerary with Pai Chang - tien and Chien Fu , professional and student of snake - panache kung fu respectively . For the most part , the conflict is a one - sided amour in favor of Kuan , but that change once Chien make up one’s mind to conflate his proficiency with his master ’s . This results in Kuan being kill despite his pedigree get a line throughout the moving picture . Despite the outcome , Kuan ’s status as a better fighter than the heroes ofSnake in the Eagle ’s Shadowputs the villain in rare territory for amartial arts movie .
